Public Health Fact Sheet-Teen Pregnancy

Public Health Fact Sheet

Teen Pregnancy

How widespread is teen pregnancy?

In 1995, one in 20 of Washington State’s teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 17 became pregnant; one in 35 had a baby (3,121 births). Of those giving birth, 17 percent had a prior pregnancy. This age group was chosen because: 1) they are of school age, 2) pregnancy to teens younger than age 15 is a rare event, and 3) the 15-17 year old group are at the highest risk for poor birth outcomes.

The pregnancy rate* for 15 to 17 year old teens in Washington State has been declining since the late 1980s. The abortion rate has also declined.

Who is at high risk for teen pregnancy?

Early sexual behavior among teens may be influenced by many complex factors such as poor quality family relationships, non-voluntary sexual experiences, poverty, lack of supportive adult role models, and negative outlook on the future. These influences may also interact with other factors such as substance use, risky sexual behaviors (e.g., multiple partners, poor contraceptive use), and low academic achievement.

What are the public health implications of teen pregnancy?

Early prenatal care is vital for detecting pregnancy risks and assuring healthy birth outcomes. In Washington State in 1995, girls 17 and younger giving birth received late or no prenatal care almost 3 times more often than women 20 years and older.

Infants born to teen mothers are one and a third times more likely to be born prematurely, and 50 percent more likely to be low birthweight babies (under 5.5 pounds). Low birthweight and prematurity raise the probability of a number of adverse conditions, including infant death, blindness, deafness, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

What are the societal implications of teen pregnancy?

Children born to single teenage mothers "are more likely to drop out of school, to give birth out of wedlock, to divorce or separate, and to become dependent on welfare, compared to children with older parents." Sons of adolescent mothers are almost 3 times more likely to be incarcerated than sons of mothers who delay childbearing until older.

In addition to its personal impact on the lives of women and children, teen pregnancy results in tremendous public cost. From 1985 to 1990, public cost related to teenage childbearing totaled $120.3 billion, which includes AFDC, Medicaid, and food stamps.

Some studies have identified a large proportion of teen pregnancies fathered by adult men; other studies show an association between childhood sexual victimization and earlier onset of voluntary sexual activity and other health compromising attitudes and behaviors.

What activities are currently being undertaken to reduce teen pregnancy?

Eleven teen pregnancy prevention community projects in urban and rural settings in Washington state, funded through DOH, focus on at-risk youth and include education and skill building, client advocacy and support, life options, opportunity development and parent-child communication.

Family planning services, offering no cost services, expanded clinic hours, and "teen friendly" environments receive funding through DOH contracts.

The Teen Future Media Network at the University of Washington has promoted teen pregnancy prevention through the development and dissemination of teen developed media messages and through statewide media literacy training.

Through the Teen Aware Program, funded by OSPI, each year over 40 local school districts develop teen generated media campaigns around sexual abstinence and delaying sexual activity.

DOH received $739,012 in federal funding during FFY 1998 for abstinence education which will include 7 abstinence education community projects, a statewide symposium on abstinence education, and partial funding for OSPI’s Teen Aware Project.

For more information, contact Melinda Harmon, Department of Health, Community and Family Health, Maternal-Child Health Program at (360) 236-3515

** Number of pregnancies per 1,000 female population in 15-17 age group. Includes live births, late pregnancy losses >20 weeks gestation, and abortions.

Facts from this fact sheet taken from Adolescent Sex, Contraception and Childbearing: A Review of Recent Research, Child Trends, Inc., Kids Having Kids, A Robin Hood Foundation Special Report on the Cost of Adolescent Childbearing, Single Mothers and Their Children, The Urban Institute, Adolescent Motherhood: Implications for the Juvenile Justice System, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevent, Childhood Abuse, How Does It Affect Adult Personality and Behavior, NOAPPP Network.

Documents posted in .pdf version on the Department of Health Web site will be made available in an alternative format on request to users who are unable to download or view .pdf files on the Web. To request an alternative format, contact: Webmaster.

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